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Bible Pathways 05/11/2002


May 11

Read 1 Chronicles 1 -- 2

In Today's Reading:

Jesus' lineage through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Israel (Jacob), and Judah.

Verses for Today:

Adam, Sheth (Seth), Enosh (Enoch) . . . Noah, Shem. . . . Nahor, Terah . . . Abraham. . . . Isaac. . . . Israel. . . . Judah. . . . Pharez. . . . Boaz . . . Obed . . . Jesse . . . David (1 Chronicles 1:1-2:15).

The first nine chapters of I Chronicles appear to be a monotonous genealogy. But they let us see the well-planned design of God, Who daily controls the destiny of each of His faithful followers and has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). This ancient genealogy reveals the exact plan and choices of our Creator in selecting the people who qualified to serve Him. Among them were Adam . . . [Enoch] . . . Noah. . . . Abraham. . . . Isaac. . . . Israel. . . . David (and others) (1 Chronicles 1:1; 2:15 compare Genesis 5). Here Jacob is called by his God-given name Israel in accordance with the new covenant God made with him (compare 35:9-12). He is mentioned more often in the Old Testament than any other person, pointing out the high esteem that God held for this great saint.

Beginning with the first man Adam, this genealogy was exceedingly important after the Israelites' captivity to see how God continued to protect the family line of the coming Messiah. In Luke 3:23-38, we see the genealogy of the second Adam, Jesus Christ the Savior of mankind, as foretold by the prophets, and traced through the very names recorded in I Chronicles (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Unless a man's name had been included in this genealogy, he could not minister in the Temple. In a similar way, our Lord is now drawing to Himself a second chosen generation, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) united not by our human genealogical bloodline that dates back to Adam, but by a spiritual birth into the family of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, the last Adam.

Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden brought about man's spiritual death, for by one man's offence (sin) death reigned (Romans 5:17). That is why Jesus said: [You] must be born again. . . . of the Spirit (John 3:7-8). Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If [you] continue in My Word, then are [you] My disciples indeed (John 8:31). "Continue in My Word" means if you faithfully continue to do what I have said, you are "indeed My disciple" and your name is recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27).

This new Life in Christ is only the beginning. Our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Romans 6:6). Christ is to be Lord of our lives because He personally redeemed us from a life of destruction. He is rightfully involved now in every detail of our lives.

You can be sure that things that happen to believers are never "accidents"; they are allowed by our Father, the Master Engineer, to prepare us to be the person He can use to accomplish the purpose for which He created us. As we prayerfully read all of His Word, He continually reveals His will to us. We cannot understand many of the things that God allows a Christian to suffer but, by faith, we know that He has an eternal purpose for us.

The genealogy in today's reading is a reminder that soon the final books in Heaven will be opened. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

Christ Revealed:

By the first Adam (1 Chronicles 1:1). Christ is the last Adam. We have eternal life because the last Adam was made a quickening (life-giving) Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45).

Word Studies:

1:6 sons of = descendants of; 1:10 begat = became the father of; 2:21 threescore = sixty.

Prayer Needs:

Government Officials: Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (TN) and Sen. James Jeffords (VT) · Pray for one another · Country: Djibouti (447,000) in eastern Africa · Major languages: French and Arabic · Limited religious freedom · 91% Muslim; 7% Roman Catholic; .75% Eastern Orthodox; about 300 Protestants · Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord in prayer, turn from your sinful ways, and God will have mercy and pardon for you (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Optional Reading: Romans 14

Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Peter 1:23



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